The Study About the Relatively Forgotten Potter's Industry in North Yarmouth, Maine: Report Number 5

Many of the eighteenth and nineteenth-century North Yarmouth (today known as Yarmouth), Maine red earthenware potteries once operated at an intersection that is located in Yarmouth, Maine today. This was likely the site, where the most red earthenware was produced at a single location in Maine for about one-hundred years, circa 1791-1890. There may have also been a time when a potter's business was located on all four corners of this intersection.

Massachusetts author, Lura Woodside Watkins refers to this location in 'Early New England Potters and Their Wares,' "A pottery at Yarmouth corner was operated by Ebenezer Corliss, who had been trained (locally) in the shop of John Thomas, a native of Gloucester, Massachusetts. Corliss built his shop in 1806 and ran it with George Bruce until 1850. 

The shop then passed into the hands of David Cleaves and his son, Robert Cleaves. David had come from Saco, Maine, and was Corliss' son-in-law, having married Lydia Corliss in 1818. His pottery was the largest in town. Since it ran until 1885, it can be recalled by the older generations (before 1950) today.

Augustus W. Corliss quoted by William H. Rowe had this to say: 'Uncle David's shop was a favorite resort for the small boys, although at times he made it very lively for them with the hoop used by the potters in carrying their ware from the wheel to the drying board. The boys used to be paid one cent to sit upon the sweep of the clay mill (see below) and keep the horse going while the clay was being ground, which took about an hour - During the burning of the ware it became necessary to keep up the fire for several days and nights, and it was the custom of the young men to collect there every night and play old sledge, raffle for turkeys, or hustle for coppers.'"

19th Century North Yarmouth, ME Potter's Grinding Wheel or Clay Mill

19th Century Potter's Grinding Wheel or Clay Mill Found at the Intersection in North Yarmouth, ME

Attributed to One of the Potter's Businesses in North Yarmouth, ME

There Are Currently Two of these that Survive Today from the Local Potter's Industry

Photo Courtesy: Yarmouth, ME Historical Society

The Intersection in Yarmouth, ME

View of the Intersection
This was Once the Location of the North Yarmouth, ME Potter's Industry

Courtesy: Google Maps

View of the Intersection
This was Once the Location of the North Yarmouth, ME Potter's Industry

Courtesy: Google Satellite Maps

View of the Intersection

This was Once the Location of the North Yarmouth, ME Potter's Industry

Courtesy: Google Street Maps

Photos of How the Intersection in Yarmouth, ME Appears Today

This was Once the Location Where Many Potters Worked in North Yarmouth, ME

The Businesses Operated Here Circa 1791-1890

This was Once the Location Where Many Potters Worked in North Yarmouth, ME

The Businesses Operated Here Circa 1791-1890

This was Once the Location Where Many Potters Worked in North Yarmouth, ME

The Businesses Operated Here Circa 1791-1890

This was Once the Location Where Many Potters Worked in North Yarmouth, ME

The Businesses Operated Here Circa 1791-1890

This was Once the Location Where Many Potters Worked in North Yarmouth, ME

The Businesses Operated Here Circa 1791-1890

This was Once the Location Where Many Potters Worked in North Yarmouth, ME

The Businesses Operated Here Circa 1791-1890

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